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Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to escalate to a infrequent category five hurricane as it turns toward Jamaica, causing life-threatening flash flooding and rock falls.

The hurricane, which had winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by midweek, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Alerts of blackouts and structural damage have been announced as the hurricane brings up to thirty inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Most Intense Storm Risk

A Category 5 storm is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

While Melissa is set to reduce in intensity to a category four storm before arriving at the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin well before it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - advisories emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and intense precipitation are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and multiple mudslides," counseled meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the statesman stated: "I know that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"Yet the optimal approach to manage worry and any unease and worry is to remain prepared."

Residents are being told to protect their properties with protective bags and timber panels, and to gather essentials.

Broader Impact

Advisories are also active for areas in the neighboring country including the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides currently triggered by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Expected Path

The hurricane is projected to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.

By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have reduced to a category three storm.

Climate Context

Although it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, scientists say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more intense.

Warmer oceans generate more moisture in the air, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the commencement of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies projected above-normal activity, citing heated marine conditions and likely enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.